Remarkable. Exceptional. Inspirational. The adjectives flowed in the Holmes Beach City Hall commission chambers Oct. 12, when local mayors honored the six friends who rescued C.J. Wickersham, 21, of Longboat Key, from the Gulf of Mexico after a bull shark ripped open his leg. The gathering, organized by Islander publisher Bonner Joy, brought mayors Jim […]

Anna Maria now has an amendment to its 2007 comprehensive plan that allows construction in the conservation land-use zone on lots that were previously platted and accepted by the city. The 2007 comp-plan contained language that prohibited any development in the conservation land-use zone because commissioners at that time believed there were no privately owned […]

Once a year the Island’s young and young-at-heart descend upon the grounds of Anna Maria Elementary School dressed as goblins, wizards, witches, fairies and super heroes to raise money for the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization. The annual Fall Festival will be Saturday, Oct. 22, and the event kicks off with a costume parade along Gulf Drive. […]

Judy and Gus Perez, along with golden retrievers Madison and Rudy, came from Sarasota Oct. 15 to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Bayfest, as they have in many years past. This year they had a particular purpose. Among the tents, booths and tables lining Anna Maria’s Pine Avenue, there was a group known […]

The former bookkeeper accused of stealing as much as $500,000 from the Key Royale Club bonded out of jail earlier this month. Holly Connelly, 30, of Bradenton, is set to go to trial in May 2012. She faces one felony charge of scheme to defraud in excess of $50,000. She was released from the Manatee […]

A Holmes Beach man accused of raiding a neighbor’s dresser for panties has a new attorney and is demanding a jury trial, which could take place in December. Ernest Kendler, who faces a second-degree felony charge of burglary of an occupied dwelling, had been scheduled to appear in court Oct. 11 for a plea hearing. […]

The Islander’s Popcorn & Politics forum takes place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the newspaper office, 5404 Marina Drive. The event provides an opportunity for candidates and voters to converse about Island issues before the Nov. 8 election in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach. The event, which The Islander is hosting in partnership […]

Holmes Beach’s mayor has decided to get tough on owners of single-family homes that have become vacation rentals and violate city codes. Mayor Rich Bohnenberger said he’s had numerous complaints the past six months about loud parties after 10 p.m. at some locations and trash left at the curb on non-pickup days. After so many […]

Holmes Beach Mayor Rich Bohnenberger has forwarded a permit application for a weekly Holmes Beach flea market at 5313 Gulf Drive to the city commission for consideration. The application by Nancy Ambrose, who formerly managed the Bridge Street Merchants’ seasonal markets, is asking for a special event permit for each Sunday from Nov. 6 through […]